200-299

Question 1

Instead of focusing on his assignment, he spent the afternoon goofing around with his friends. What does “goof around” mean in this context?
a) Work seriously and efficiently
b) Engage in playful or silly behavior
c) Study quietly by himself
d) Help his friends with their assignments

Answer 1

b) Engage in playful or silly behavior. “Goof around” means to behave in a silly or playful way, often avoiding serious or productive activities.

Question 2

After the cancellation of the concert, she couldn’t help but mope around the house all day. What does “mope around” mean in this context?
a) Move with great energy and enthusiasm
b) Clean and organize the house meticulously
c) Be in a low or dejected mood, showing little energy or enthusiasm
d) Invite friends over to cheer up

Answer 2

c) Be in a low or dejected mood, showing little energy or enthusiasm. “Mope around” means to⬤

Question 3

His constant lateness finally managed to tick off his normally patient teacher. What does “tick off” mean in this context?
a) Please or make happy
b) Mark as present or accounted for
c) Annoy or irritate
d) Impress with punctuality

Answer 3

c) Annoy or irritate. “Tick off” in this context means to irritate or annoy someone, often as a result of repeated actions or behavior.

Question 4

When he forgot to turn in his part of the group project, it really ticked off his teammates. What does “tick off” mean in this context?
a) Motivate to work harder
b) Annoy or upset
c) Make indifferent or unresponsive
d) Cause to be punctual in the future

Answer 4

b) Annoy or upset. In this scenario, “tick off” means to cause annoyance or irritation, often due to someone’s actions or failure to act appropriately.

Question 5

During the long lecture, he started to tune out and didn’t hear what the speaker was saying. What does “tune out” mean in this context?
a) Adjust the audio settings for better sound
b) Pay closer attention to the lecture details
c) Mentally disengage and stop paying attention
d) Start taking detailed notes on the lecture

Answer 5

c) Mentally disengage and stop paying attention. “Tune out” means to stop listening or paying attention to something, often becoming absorbed in one’s own thoughts or distractions.

Question 6

After many discussions, they finally managed to work out their differences. What does “work out” mean in this context?
a) Intensify or escalate their disagreements
b) Solve or resolve a problem or dispute
c) Ignore the issues and continue as before
d) End their relationship or partnership

Answer 6

b) Solve or resolve a problem or dispute. “Work out” in this context means to come to a solution or resolution, especially after a period of difficulty or disagreement.

Question 7

The sales team tried to drum up interest in their new product by offering free demos. What does “drum up” mean in this context?
a) Decrease enthusiasm for the product
b) Generate or increase interest or support
c) Cancel the product launch
d) Sell the product at a discounted price

Answer 7

b) Generate or increase interest or support. “Drum up” means to actively work to create or stimulate interest, support, or business for something.

Question 8

To drum up support for the charity event, they organized a social media campaign. What does “drum up” mean in this context?
a) Quietly gather support without publicizing the event
b) Actively seek and encourage support or enthusiasm
c) Reduce the scale of the event
d) Criticize other competing events

Answer 8

b) Actively seek and encourage support or enthusiasm. In this scenario, “drum up” refers to making an active effort to generate interest, support, or enthusiasm, particularly through promotional or public awareness activities.

Question 9

She felt offended because her boss always seemed to talk down to her during meetings. What does “talk down to” mean in this context?
a) Speak in a simple and clear manner
b) Address someone in a patronizing or condescending way
c) Whisper so as not to be overheard
d) Offer praise and positive feedback

Answer 9

b) Address someone in a patronizing or condescending way. “Talk down to” means to speak to someone as if they are less intelligent or important, often in a patronizing or demeaning manner.

Question 10

He lucked out when he found the last ticket for the concert. What does “luck out” mean in this context?
a) Experience bad luck
b) Have good luck or fortunate circumstances unexpectedly
c) Miss out on an opportunity
d) Intentionally avoid going to the concert

Answer 10

b) Have good luck or fortunate circumstances unexpectedly. “Luck out” means to experience a particularly good or fortunate outcome, often by chance or luck.

Question 11

During the long train ride, he started to nod off in his seat. What does “nod off” mean in this context?
a) Become very alert and attentive
b) Begin to fall asleep, usually unintentionally
c) Vigorously shake his head in disagreement
d) Start a conversation with another passenger

Answer 11

b) Begin to fall asleep, usually unintentionally. “Nod off” means to start falling asleep, especially in a gentle, gradual, or unplanned way.

Question 12

During the meeting, he tended to ramble on without getting to the point. What does “ramble on” mean in this context?
a) Speak clearly and concisely
b) Quickly finish his speech
c) Talk at length in a wandering or unfocused way
d) Remain silent and thoughtful

Answer 12

c) Talk at length in a wandering or unfocused way. “Ramble on” means to talk for a long time in a way that lacks clear direction or purpose, often straying from the main topic.

Question 13

She had high hopes for the project, but it didn’t pan out as expected. What does “pan out” mean in this context?
a) Proceed as planned or successfully
b) Fail to develop as expected or hoped
c) Exceed all expectations dramatically
d) Get postponed indefinitely

Answer 13

b) Fail to develop as expected or hoped. “Pan out” means to turn out or conclude, especially in the sense of having a successful or favorable result. In this context, it indicates that the project did not turn out successfully or as anticipated.

Question 14

He took some time to mull over the job offer before making a decision. What does “mull over” mean in this context?
a) Reject immediately
b) Accept without hesitation
c) Think about deeply and at length
d) Forget about the offer completely

Answer 14

c) Think about deeply and at length. “Mull over” means to think carefully and for a considerable time about something, especially before making a decision.

Question 15

He took some time to mull over the job offer before making a decision. What does “mull over” mean in this context?
a) Reject immediately
b) Accept without hesitation
c) Think about deeply and at length
d) Forget about the offer completely

Answer 15

c) Think about deeply and at length. “Mull over” means to think carefully and for a considerable time about something, especially before making a decision.

Question 16

Whenever the topic of his previous job was mentioned, he would suddenly clam up. What does “clam up” mean in this context?
a) Become more talkative and open
b) Start complaining loudly
c) Refuse to speak or become silent suddenly
d) Change the subject quickly

Answer 16

c) Refuse to speak or become silent suddenly. “Clam up” means to become silent, stop talking, or refuse to speak, often because of shyness, embarrassment, or the desire to keep something secret.

Question 17

Just days before the wedding, he got cold feet and decided to back out of the marriage. What does “back out of” mean in this context?
a) Reconfirm his commitment to the wedding
b) Withdraw or retreat from a commitment or agreement
c) Start planning the honeymoon
d) Express enthusiasm about the upcoming event

Answer 17

b) Withdraw or retreat from a commitment or agreement. “Back out of” means to withdraw from an agreement, arrangement, or commitment, often at the last minute or after initially agreeing to it.

Question 18

After considering the risks, she decided to back out of the investment deal. What does “back out of” mean in this context?
a) Increase her investment
b) Withdraw from the agreement or commitment
c) Encourage others to invest
d) Significantly change the terms of the deal

Answer 18

b) Withdraw from the agreement or commitment. In this scenario, “back out of” means to decide not to continue with an agreement, plan, or deal, especially one that has been previously agreed upon.

Question 19

Despite the odds being against them, the team managed to pull off an unexpected victory. What does “pull off” mean in this context?
a) Fail to achieve their goal
b) Achieve something difficult or unlikely
c) Withdraw from the competition
d) Follow a safe and conventional strategy

Answer 19

b) Achieve something difficult or unlikely. “Pull off” means to successfully achieve or accomplish something challenging, often unexpectedly or against the odds.

Question 20

The event planner had very little time, but she pulled off an amazing party at the last minute. What does “pull off” mean in this context?
a) Cancel the party unexpectedly
b) Successfully organize and execute the party despite time constraints
c) Extend the preparation time for the party
d) Delegate the entire planning process to someone else

Answer 20

b) Successfully organize and execute the party despite time constraints. In this scenario, “pull off” refers to achieving or accomplishing something challenging, in this case organizing a party, under difficult circumstances or against expectations.

Question 21

It finally dawned on him why his friend had been acting strangely. What does “dawn on” mean in this context?
a) Confuse or puzzle him further
b) Make him forget about his friend’s behavior
c) Come to realize or understand something
d) Cause him to ignore his friend

Answer 21

c) Come to realize or understand something. “Dawn on” means to become apparent or clear to someone, often referring to a sudden realization or understanding of a situation or fact that was not previously evident.

Question 22

As she read the letter, it slowly dawned on her that she had won the award. What does “dawn on” mean in this context?
a) Become less important or significant
b) Cause her to feel overwhelmed with responsibilities
c) Gradually become clear or come to an understanding
d) Make her decide to refuse the award

Answer 22

c) Gradually become clear or come to an understanding. In this scenario, “dawn on” refers to the gradual realization or understanding of something, in this case, the fact that she won an award.

Question 23

The students were reminded to abide by the school’s rules while on the field trip. What does “abide by” mean in this context?
a) Disregard or break the rules
b) Formulate new rules
c) Comply with or follow the rules
d) Protest against the rules

Answer 23

c) Comply with or follow the rules. “Abide by” means to obey, follow, or adhere to a set of rules, laws, or instructions.

Question 24

To ensure fair play, all teams must abide by the tournament regulations. What does “abide by” mean in this context?
a) Ignore or challenge the regulations
b) Discuss and potentially modify the regulations
c) Accept and follow the established regulations
d) Be unaware of the regulations

Answer 24

c) Accept and follow the established regulations. “Abide by” in this context means to adhere to or comply with a set of rules or guidelines, ensuring that actions are in accordance with established standards or regulations.

Question 25

She decided to take up yoga to improve her flexibility and reduce stress. What does “take up” mean in this context?
a) Give up or quit an activity
b) Start or begin a new hobby or activity
c) Teach yoga to others
d) Write about yoga without practicing it

Answer 25

b) Start or begin a new hobby or activity. “Take up” in this context means to begin or start practicing a new hobby, activity, or interest, often as a way to learn something new or make a lifestyle change.

Question 26

After retiring, he decided to take up painting as a way to express his creativity. What does “take up” mean in this context?
a) Critique or analyze paintings
b) Hang up paintings in his home
c) Start learning and practicing painting
d) Sell his old paintings

Answer 26

c) Start learning and practicing painting. In this scenario, “take up” means to begin engaging in an activity or hobby, in this case, painting, especially one that is new or has not been pursued before.

Question 27

She decided to take on the challenge of running a marathon despite never having run one before. What does “take on” mean in this context?
a) Avoid or shy away from the challenge
b) Criticize the idea of running a marathon
c) Accept or begin to deal with a challenge
d) Watch the marathon as a spectator

Answer 27

c) Accept or begin to deal with a challenge. In this scenario, “take on” means to accept, undertake, or start dealing with a challenging task or responsibility, in this case, training for and running a marathon.

Question 28

To expand her skills, the graphic designer decided to take on a complex and demanding project. What does “take on” mean in this context?
a) Outsource the project to someone else
b) Accept or start working on a challenging task
c) Refuse or avoid difficult work
d) Complete the project with minimal effort

Answer 28

b) Accept or start working on a challenging task. “Take on” in this case means to agree to undertake or begin working on a task or project, especially one that is demanding or challenging.

Question 29

The small law firm took on a high-profile case that received national attention. What does “take on” mean in this context?
a) Decline to represent the case
b) Agree to handle or represent the case
c) Pass the case to a larger firm
d) Criticize the case publicly

Answer 29

b) Agree to handle or represent the case. In this scenario, “take on” means to accept the responsibility of dealing with or managing something significant or challenging, such as a high-profile legal case.

Question 30

The experienced teacher decided to take on the role of mentor for new educators at her school. What does “take on” mean in this context?
a) Refuse or avoid a new responsibility
b) Observe from a distance without getting involved
c) Accept or begin a new role or responsibility
d) Critique the methods of new educators

Answer 30

c) Accept or begin a new role or responsibility. “Take on” in this case means to assume a new role, responsibility, or challenge, here being a mentor to new teachers, demonstrating a willingness to engage in and contribute to that role.

Question 31

He decided to take apart the old computer to understand how it was built. What does “take apart” mean in this context?
a) Repair and restore the computer to its original state
b) Disassemble or dismantle the computer
c) Put the computer in storage
d) Sell the computer as it is

Answer 31

b) Disassemble or dismantle the computer. “Take apart” in this context means to disassemble or break down an object into its component parts, often to understand how it works, for repair, or for some other purpose.

Question 32

In the debate, she was able to take apart her opponent’s argument effectively. What does “take apart” mean in this context?
a) Agree with and support her opponent’s argument
b) Critically analyze and deconstruct the argument
c) Ignore the points made by her opponent
d) Change the subject to avoid the argument

Answer 32

b) Critically analyze and deconstruct the argument. In this scenario, “take apart” means to examine and dismantle an argument, point by point, typically to expose its flaws or weaknesses.

Question 33

Many people say that she takes after her mother in both appearance and personality. What does “take after” mean in this context?
a) Choose to pursue the same career as her mother
b) Look and behave similarly to her mother
c) Try to avoid being like her mother
d) Not have any similarities with her mother

Answer 33

b) Look and behave similarly to her mother. “Take after” means to resemble a family member, such as a parent or sibling, in appearance, behavior, or character.

Question 34

His friends often remarked that he took after his grandfather in his love for gardening. What does “take after” mean in this context?
a) Dislike gardening just as his grandfather did
b) Share a similar interest or hobby with his grandfather
c) Inherit gardening tools from his grandfather
d) Learn about gardening from someone other than his grandfather

Answer 34

b) Share a similar interest or hobby with his grandfather. In this scenario, “take after” means to have similar traits or interests as a family member, in this case, a shared passion for gardening, suggesting a likeness or influence.

Question 35

He maxed out his credit card buying gifts during the holiday season. What does “max out” mean in this context?
a) Pay off the entire balance of the credit card
b) Use the credit card to its maximum credit limit
c) Not use the credit card at all
d) Cancel the credit card

Answer 35

b) Use the credit card to its maximum credit limit. “Max out” in this context means to reach the maximum limit of something, especially referring to using a credit card up to its allowed credit limit.

Question 36

To improve her chances in the competition, she maxed out her training efforts in the weeks leading up to it. What does “max out” mean in this context?
a) Reduce or minimize her training
b) Train as hard and intensely as possible
c) Completely stop training
d) Train in a relaxed and casual manner

Answer 36

b) Train as hard and intensely as possible. In this scenario, “max out” means to put in the maximum amount of effort or reach the highest level of capacity in an activity, here referring to intense training.

Question 37

During the meeting, he just yammered on about unrelated topics, frustrating his colleagues. What does “yammer on” mean in this context?
a) Speak briefly and to the point
b) Remain completely silent
c) Talk at length in an annoying manner
d) Discuss topics relevant to the meeting agenda

Answer 37

c) Talk at length in an annoying manner. “Yammer on” means to talk continuously and often loudly or complainingly, usually about something unimportant or annoying, often to the irritation of others.

Question 38

After the concert was over, many fans decided to stick around in hopes of meeting the band. What does “stick around” mean in this context?
a) Leave the venue immediately
b) Stay in the same place or nearby for a while
c) Move to a different location quickly
d) Forget about the concert and go home

Answer 38

b) Stay in the same place or nearby for a while. “Stick around” means to remain in a place or stay behind, often in anticipation of something happening or for an additional purpose.

Question 39

He loved to nerd out with his friends over the latest space exploration news. What does “nerd out” mean in this context?
a) Show disinterest or disdain for the topic
b) Become extremely excited and enthusiastic about a specialized or niche subject
c) Avoid discussing anything related to space
d) Discuss general topics with little detail

Answer 39

b) Become extremely excited and enthusiastic about a specialized or niche subject. “Nerd out” means to engage in or discuss a specialized subject or hobby with great enthusiasm and detail, often shared among people with a similar interest.

Question 40

During their weekend gathering, they decided to nerd out by having a marathon of classic science fiction movies. What does “nerd out” mean in this context?
a) Show no interest in science fiction movies
b) Criticize each movie they watch
c) Indulge deeply in their shared passion for science fiction
d) Switch between different genres of movies

Answer 40

c) Indulge deeply in their shared passion for science fiction. In this scenario, “nerd out” means to enthusiastically and thoroughly engage in an activity or interest that one is passionate about, particularly in a niche or specialized area like science fiction movies.

Question 41

Despite having little experience with the software, she managed to muddle through the project. What does “muddle through” mean in this context?
a) Complete the project with great expertise and skill
b) Avoid working on the project altogether
c) Manage to get by or succeed despite difficulties or confusion
d) Hire someone else to do the project

Answer 41

c) Manage to get by or succeed despite difficulties or confusion. “Muddle through” means to cope with or manage a situation despite not being well-prepared, skilled, or knowledgeable, usually resulting in a satisfactory but not perfect outcome.

Question 42

Faced with a sudden question in a foreign language, he tried to muddle through a response using his limited vocabulary. What does “muddle through” mean in this context?
a) Answer confidently and fluently
b) Refuse to respond due to lack of knowledge
c) Make an effort to answer despite limitations in language skills
d) Ask someone else to answer for him

Answer 42

c) Make an effort to answer despite limitations in language skills. In this context, “muddle through” means to manage to get by or proceed in a situation despite having difficulties or limitations, here referring to limited language skills.

Question 43

The teacher had to dish out a lot of homework due to the upcoming exams. What does “dish out” mean in this context?
a) Assign a large amount of homework to students
b) Cancel or reduce the amount of homework
c) Complete the homework for the students
d) Discuss the homework without assigning any

Answer 43

a) Assign a large amount of homework to students. In this scenario, “dish out” means to give or distribute something in significant quantities, here referring to the assignment of a substantial amount of homework.

Question 44

The celebrity chef was excited to dish out samples of his new recipes at the food festival. What does “dish out” mean in this context?
a) Refuse to let anyone taste his recipes
b) Share and distribute food samples to attendees
c) Critique other chefs’ recipes
d) Keep all the food for himself

Answer 44

b) Share and distribute food samples to attendees. In this context, “dish out” means to distribute or serve food, especially in a generous or enthusiastic manner.

Question 45

The coach was known to dish out tough love during training sessions. What does “dish out” mean in this context?
a) Provide excessive praise and encouragement
b) Avoid giving any feedback
c) Give stern or strict guidance or criticism
d) Cancel training sessions frequently

Answer 45

c) Give stern or strict guidance or criticism. In this scenario, “dish out” means to give or distribute something, in this case, tough love or strict guidance, in a forthright or direct manner, often to achieve a specific goal or standard.

Question 46

He always finds a way to wiggle out of doing his share of the chores. What does “wiggle out of” mean in this context?
a) Eagerly volunteer for more responsibilities
b) Perform his chores exceptionally well
c) Avoid or escape a responsibility or obligation
d) Divide the chores equally among everyone

Answer 46

c) Avoid or escape a responsibility or obligation. “Wiggle out of” means to evade or find a way to get out of doing something, especially a duty or responsibility, often through clever or subtle means.

Question 47

She tried to wiggle out of attending the meeting by saying she had a prior engagement. What does “wiggle out of” mean in this context?
a) Confirm her attendance at the meeting enthusiastically
b) Arrange to attend two events at the same time
c) Find an excuse to avoid or get out of a commitment
d) Plan the meeting agenda in detail

Answer 47

c) Find an excuse to avoid or get out of a commitment. In this scenario, “wiggle out of” refers to the act of trying to avoid or escape an obligation or commitment, often by providing an excuse or alternative reason.

Question 48

He was offered a job in another city, but decided to turn it down to stay closer to his family. What does “turn down” mean in this context?
a) Accept the job offer eagerly
b) Request a higher salary for the job
c) Decline or refuse the offer
d) Transfer the offer to a friend

Answer 48

c) Decline or refuse the offer. “Turn down” in this context means to reject or say no to an offer, invitation, or opportunity.

Question 49

Despite the high salary, she chose to turn down the position because it didn’t align with her career goals. What does “turn down” mean in this context?
a) Negotiate for a better position
b) Accept the position despite reservations
c) Reject or refuse the job offer
d) Request more time to make a decision

Answer 49

c) Reject or refuse the job offer. In this scenario, “turn down” means to decline or say no to a proposal or offer, in this case, a job position, due to personal reasons or other considerations.

Question 50

Even after the minor car accident, he managed to shrug off any concerns and continue with his day. What does “shrug off” mean in this context?
a) Take the incident very seriously and worry about it
b) Dismiss or minimize the importance or impact of something
c) Experience a great deal of stress
d) Immediately seek medical attention

Answer 50

b) Dismiss or minimize the importance or impact of something. “Shrug off” means to treat something as insignificant or not worthy of serious consideration, often implying a casual or nonchalant attitude.

Question 51

Despite the criticism of her latest project, she was able to shrug it off and continue her work. What does “shrug off” mean in this context?
a) Be deeply affected by the criticism
b) Change her project based on the feedback
c) Ignore or not be bothered by the criticism
d) Respond angrily to the critics

Answer 51

c) Ignore or not be bothered by the criticism. In this scenario, “shrug off” means to dismiss, ignore, or not be negatively impacted by something, such as criticism, implying resilience or indifference.

Question 52

He decided to put off his trip to Paris because of unexpected work commitments. What does “put off” mean in this context?
a) Cancel the trip permanently
b) Postpone or delay the trip
c) Leave immediately for the trip
d) Shorten the duration of the trip

Answer 52

b) Postpone or delay the trip. “Put off” means to delay or postpone an event or action, usually to a later time or date.

Question 53

She had to put off making a decision until she received more information. What does “put off” mean in this context?
a) Make an immediate decision without waiting
b) Decide not to make a decision at all
c) Delay or postpone making a decision
d) Ask someone else to make the decision

Answer 53

c) Delay or postpone making a decision. In this scenario, “put off” means to postpone or delay a decision or action, often until more information or resources are available.

Question 54

After drinking her morning coffee, she started to perk up and feel more energetic. What does “perk up” mean in this context?
a) Become more lively, cheerful, or energetic
b) Feel overwhelmed and stressed
c) Become drowsy or sleepy
d) Lose interest in her surroundings

Answer 54

a) Become more lively, cheerful, or energetic. “Perk up” means to gain energy, become more alert, or improve in mood, often after feeling tired or unenthusiastic.

Question 55

When he heard his favorite song on the radio, his spirits immediately perked up. What does “perk up” mean in this context?
a) Become happier or more enthusiastic
b) Become sad or nostalgic
c) Turn off the radio
d) Remain indifferent or unresponsive

Answer 55

a) Become happier or more enthusiastic. In this context, “perk up” means to experience a noticeable improvement in mood or energy, often becoming more cheerful or enthusiastic.